CO129-589-20 Evacuation- financial arrangements 26-7-1941 - 3-1-1944 — Page 135

P/GO. Hong Kong 14.

COPY OF A LETTER FROM THE OFFICIAL SECRETARY, COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA, TO THE CROWN AGENTS.

LM/ED 435/1/52.

Australia House,

9 M...

ہرا

Strand, London,

W.C.2.

24th January, 1942.

134

Gentlemen,

I desire to refer to your communication of 16th January, 1942 (P/G.O. Hong Kong 14.), forwarding a remittance for £19,426.12. 5. sterling in payment of the amounts disbursed in Australia for the months of May and June on account of Hong Kong evacuees. A cablegram dated 2nd January has now been received from the authorities in Australia reading as follows :-

579. "Your telegram 6th January 111. United Kingdom Government have arranged for High Commissioner Canberra to reimburse Hong Kong evacuees. Cable last monthly reimbursement received by you and enquire from Crown Agents regarding September and usual letter and statement for September posted Hong Kong but supporting vouchers returned by Post Office marked "service suspended."

In view of the statement embodied therein regarding the September claim forwarded to Hong Kong and returned by the. Post Office marked "service suspended", perhaps you will be good enough to advise me if it is your intention to reimburse this office the amounts outstanding for July, August and September, or whether arrangements are contemplated by you whereby the High Commissioner in Canberra will effect payment of one or more of those claims. Your early advice in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Yours etc.,

(Sgd.) W. J. Ives,

for Official Secretary.